"If it wasn't for soccer, I wouldn't be here. It's given me a lot of opportunity."
Soccer brings the world together. Venezuelan-native Maria Vilar discovered it first hand as she crossed the equator to become a Clarke Crusader. Both on and off the field as a sports management student, Maria hasn’t found trouble meeting new faces. “It’s easy to get to know people here. Especially being an international student,” she said. Compared to her bustling home of Caracas, Maria finds Dubuque laid back and a great place to try new things. When it’s nice out, she is sure to play a game of bean bags – a local favorite. And even when it isn’t, there is always someone ready for a good time. “Clarke is just a bigger family for me,” she said